TRANSPORT IN PLANTS

Root Hair Cells

Long, thin
protrusion
(D)

Increase SA
to Vol.
Ratio

Increase
rate of
absorption

;)

Entry of water into plant

Penetration

1. Since sap is concentrated, has a lower WP than soil solution > water
enters root cell (from soil soln) by osmosis (down a concentration
gradient)
2. This lucky root hair cell sap becomes diluted and has a HWP than the
inner cell > Water moves into inner cell through pp plasma
membrane by osmosis
3. Process continues and water passes through cortex cells until water
reaches xylem and moves up the plant

3 Anti-Gravity Techniques
1. Root pressure
-

Living cells around xylem uses active transport to pump ions into
vessels
Lowers water potential in xylem & water can pass into xylem by osmosis
The build up of water forces the water up out

2. Capillary Action (pull)

-

Cohesion between water molecules

Adhesion between surface of tubes and water molecules
Xylem vessels are narrow
Capillary action helps to move water up

3. Transpiration pull
Water moves out of mesophyll cells

Forms thin film of moisture

Evaporates from thin film

Moves into inercellualr air spaces

Diffuses through stomata

Hence, water potential of mesophyll cell sap

decreases
Mesophyll cells absorb water from cells
deeper within the leaf
These cells, in turn, absorb water from
xylem
Water moves up xylem from roots to leaves
by transpiration pull caused by evap of water
from leaves
9 steps.
9 realms.

Importance of Transpiration
-

Draws water from mineral salts and leaves

Cools plant
Water transported to leaves can be used in photosis to keep cells turgid to
support plant

4 Factors
-

Humidity
o Difference in concentration gradient
Wind
o Blows away water vapour
o Maintain concentration gradient
Temperature
o Rate of evaporation from mesophyll increases > Rate of
transpiration increases
Light intensity
o Causes stomata to open and widen

Xylem
- Carry water and mineral salts
- Mechanical support (Lignin)
Adaptations
- Empty lumen, no protoplasm
o Reduces water resistance
o Efficient water support
- Walls thickened with lignin
o Prevents collapse of vessel
- Vessels bundled together
o Mechanical support to plant
How to remember adaptations:
Lestrade Promised Loki Books

Phloem
-

Sugars formed by leaves

Sucrose and AA (Sherlocks Amazing Abilities)
Sieve tubes and companion cells
Companions have many mitochondria and a nucleus
Provide nutrients to sieve tube cells to help them transport food

Fandom analogy:
Sieve tubes > The Doctor
Companion cells > Donna
After many cycles of regeneration, the doctor is empty (like the sieve cells) and need somebody to support them. Then comes Donna
the companion to provide nutrients to him and helps him carry out his duties.

Adaptations
- Small holes in sieve plates
o Allows rapid flow of manufactured food
- Mitochondria in companion cells
o Provides energy for transport of sugars from mesophyll to sieve tubes
(active transport)
o Carries out metabolic processes to keep sieve tubes alive
o Provides nutrients
How to remember:
Sherlocks Reichenbach Fall & Moriartys End Made Peter Numb

How to remember structure:

Elephants Come Playing Cas Xylo Phone

How Wilting Occurs

- Rate of trans > rate of absorption of water by roots
- Cells lose their turgor > Become plasmolyse
- Leaf becomes flaccid & plant wilts
Advantages
- SA exposed to sunlight decreases
- Guard cells flaccid > Stomata close
- Trans rate decreases
Disadvantages
- Water is a limiting factor > Photosis rate decreases
- Stomata close > CO2 intake decreases (limiting factor) photosynthesis rate
decreases